Showjumping and trial bikes to feature in rural autumn show

The annual weekend event, taking place in October, will provide a family-friendly snapshot of rural life at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate.

Organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, which hopes to beat the 10,014 visitors who came through the gates last year, the show promises a celebration of the countryside, with some of the region's finest livestock and food on display, alongside hands-on attractions and other activities in the exhibition halls.

The event will retain its focus on agricultural heritage, with traditional classes for cattle and sheep, and with demonstrations for pig breeds. In addition there will be horse classes and tutorials with international showjumper Graham Fletcher.

The three-time Olympian will be travelling from his Oxfordshire-base to lead the classes.

Locally-produced food will again play an important part in the event. Live demonstrations in the cookery theatre promise to get everyone's tastebuds tingling, and there will be an array of fruit, vegetables, flowers and honey on display across the specialist classes, the organisers say.

Alongside these displays will be numerous food stands where event-goers can talk to producers and sample their offerings.

The ever-popular tug of war competitions will also return with the annual crowd pleaser set to include a national competition this year.

To complete the action, this year's show will feature the a performance from the Xtreme Trial Motorbikes, dog agility demonstrations, have-a-go archery and falconry.

The Yorkshire Alpaca Society will show alpacas for the first time.

For children, the "country crafts experience" will show them felt-making, strawcraft, bread and sausage-making.

The organisers are keen to promote advance bookings so those going to next month's Great Yorkshire Show will be eligible for discounts of as much as 9 on family tickets.